What is software deployment and what tools can help?

The Essentials of Software Deployment

The primary goal of software deployment is to streamline the distribution, installation, configuration, and maintenance of software across an organization's infrastructure. It encompasses a range of tasks and considerations, such as:

1. Packaging

Before deployment, software needs to be properly packaged. Packaging involves creating an installer or package that contains all the necessary files, libraries, settings, and dependencies required for the software to run on a target system.

This step ensures consistency and reliability during installation.

To easily manage your deployment command lines, automate package updates, and handle Intune app assignments, use PacKit. The free edition lets you manage and upload packages to Intune or MECM, with upcoming features like an app catalog and troubleshooting tools from Advanced Installer. The paid edition offers auto updates, app assignments, and custom actions for each package. Since its first release in May 2024, PacKit has been providing monthly updates, with upcoming features including PSADT integration and an app catalog for Intune.

2. Distribution

Once the software package is ready, it needs to be distributed to the intended devices or users. Distribution methods can vary, including:

• Network-based deployments,
• Physical media (e.g., DVDs or USB drives),
• Or cloud-based delivery.

3. Installation and Configuration

The installation process involves placing the software onto a target system and configuring it according to predefined settings or user preferences. Users may perform installations themselves or IT administrators can deploy software to multiple devices simultaneously. After installation, software may require configuration to adapt to specific user needs or network settings.

Configuration can include specifying user preferences, connecting to databases, or setting up integration with other software. Usually this part is taken care of in the software packaging stage and the final result is done by the IT Professionals who work in this area.

4. Updates and Maintenance

Software deployment also covers the process of applying updates, patches, and hotfixes to existing software installations.

This helps in addressing:

• Security vulnerabilities,
• Fixing bugs,
• And adding new features.

5. Compliance

Organizations need to ensure compliance with software licensing agreements.

This involves:

• Tracking software licenses,
• Managing license keys,
• And ensuring that the correct number of licenses is in use.

6. Monitoring and Maintenance

Continuous monitoring of deployed software is essential to detect issues, performance problems, or security breaches. Regular maintenance ensures that software remains up to date and functional.

In cases of software conflicts, failures, or the need to remove specific applications, software deployment processes should support efficient rollback or uninstallation procedures.

Software deployment can vary widely in complexity, depending on the size of the organization, the number of devices or users, and the types of applications involved.

Software Packaging Tools

As mentioned, the first step before even considering software deployment, a package must first exist and configured according to the desired state, thus we enter the software packaging world.

Let’s explore some market options in terms of Software Packaging tools.

Advanced Installer

Advanced Installer is a popular, and user-friendly tool among developers, it simplifies the packaging and deployment of software applications on Windows systems, offering features like:

• MSI-based installations.
• Automatic updates.
• A wide range of pre-built templates.
• Plus, it has an intuitive GUI, and an extensive library.

Advanced Installer simplifies the packaging and deployment of Windows applications. It's intuitive, feature-rich, and offers a plethora of templates, making it a favorite among developers.

WiX Toolset

WiX Toolset is an open-source collection of tools and libraries that enable developers to create Windows Installer XML (WiX) files, allowing for more fine-grained control over MSI installations through code-based customization.

Inno Setup

Inno Setup is a free, and script-driven installation system for creating Windows application installers, known for its simplicity, customization options, and support for scripting languages like Pascal.

InstallShield

InstallShield is a robust and widely-used commercial installation development solution that provides advanced features for creating Windows installers, supporting various installation scenarios, and integrating with popular development environments.

MSIX Packaging Tool

MSIX Packaging Tool is a Microsoft offering designed to facilitate the conversion of existing desktop applications into the modern MSIX format, simplifying application deployment, management, and updates on Windows 10 and later.

These tools serve different needs in the software deployment ecosystem, catering to developers, IT professionals, and organizations seeking efficient ways to package, distribute, and manage software applications across Windows environments.

Software Deployment Tools

Several tools are available to help with software deployments, making the process more efficient and manageable for IT administrators and organizations. Here are some of the commonly used tools for software deployments:

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)

System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), now known as Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, is a comprehensive management solution developed by Microsoft for configuring, deploying, and managing a wide range of devices and applications across an organization's network.

It provides a unified infrastructure for IT administrators to automate software deployment, enforce security policies, and monitor device compliance.

Here are some key aspects to highlight SCCM:

• SCCM allows IT teams to efficiently deploy software applications to Windows devices within the organization. It supports various deployment methods, including user-centric and device-centric installations, making it flexible for different use cases.
• SCCM streamlines the process of managing and distributing software updates and patches to ensure that systems are up-to-date and secure. It provides a centralized dashboard for monitoring and reporting on patch compliance.
• SCCM simplifies the deployment of Windows operating systems to new or existing devices. IT admins can create standardized OS images, customize deployment settings, and automate the provisioning process.
• SCCM collects and maintains an inventory of hardware and software assets across the network. This data helps organizations track license compliance, monitor hardware health, and make informed decisions about IT resources.
• IT teams can enforce security and configuration policies on managed devices to ensure compliance with organizational standards. SCCM provides tools for assessing compliance and remediating non-compliant systems.
• The solution offers a robust reporting and monitoring framework, allowing administrators to gain insights into device health, software deployments, compliance, and more. Customizable reports help IT professionals make data-driven decisions.
• SCCM supports RBAC, enabling organizations to delegate administrative tasks and restrict access based on roles and responsibilities.
• SCCM can be integrated with Microsoft Intune to provide co-management capabilities, allowing organizations to manage both on-premises and cloud-connected devices from a single console.
• SCCM is designed to scale with the size and needs of your organization. It supports distributed architecture to handle large-scale deployments and geographically dispersed networks.

Overall, SCCM plays a crucial role in modern IT management by simplifying the complexities of software deployment, device management, and security enforcement across the enterprise. It helps organizations maintain a secure, compliant, and efficient IT environment.

Microsoft Intune

Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint management solution that focuses on modern device management and security. It's part of the Microsoft 365 suite and is designed to provide organizations with a unified platform for managing mobile devices, PCs, and applications.

Here are some key points to elaborate on when discussing Microsoft Intune:

• Intune is entirely cloud-based, which means there's no need for on-premises servers or infrastructure. This makes it a cost-effective and scalable solution for managing devices and applications.
• Intune allows organizations to enroll and manage a wide range of devices, including Windows PCs, Macs, iOS, Android, and even IoT devices. Users can easily enroll their devices for management.
• Security is a top priority with Intune. It offers features like conditional access, mobile threat defense, and compliance policies to ensure that devices accessing corporate resources meet security standards. It also integrates with Microsoft Defender Antivirus and Microsoft Defender Firewall for threat protection.
• Intune enables organizations to deploy and manage applications, both store apps (e.g., from Microsoft Store) and custom line-of-business (LOB) apps. Admins can control app installation, updates, and removal.
• IT administrators can create configuration profiles to standardize settings on devices. These profiles can control Wi-Fi, VPN, email, and other device settings to ensure compliance and security.
• Intune integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365services, allowing organizations to manage devices, apps, and data alongside user identities and collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.
• Organizations can enforce conditional access policies that control access to corporate resources based on device health, user identity, and location. This adds an extra layer of security.
• Intune provides remote management capabilities, allowing IT teams to troubleshoot and resolve issues on devices, even if they are distributed globally.
• Intune offers detailed reporting and analytics dashboards. Admins can gain insights into device compliance, security events, and app usage. Customizable reports help track and monitor key metrics.
• Intune aligns with the Zero Trust security model, ensuring that trust is never assumed, and continuous verification is required for all users and devices attempting to access corporate resources.
• Like SCCM, Intune is designed to scale with the organization's needs. It can support a growing number of devices and users without compromising performance.

Microsoft Intune is a versatile and powerful solution for managing and securing a diverse set of devices in today's mobile and remote work environments.

It empowers organizations to achieve greater control, security, and compliance across their digital estate while simplifying management tasks through cloud-based automation.

PDQ Deploy

PDQ Deploy is a popular software deployment tool designed to simplify and automate the process of deploying and managing software applications, updates, patches, and scripts across Windows-based computers in an organization.

Here's a more detailed overview of PDQ Deploy:

• PDQ Deploy provides a centralized console from which IT administrators can create and manage deployment packages. This console offers a user-friendly interface for creating, scheduling, and monitoring deployments.
• PDQ Deploy maintains a software repository where you can store and organize installer files, packages, and scripts. This repository ensures that deployment packages are readily available and version-controlled.
• PDQ Deploy offers a vast library of pre-built deployment packages for popular software applications. This feature saves time and effort by providing ready-to-use packages for common software.
• Administrators can create custom deployment packages for software that is not available in the pre-built library. PDQ Deploy supports various installation types, including MSI, EXE, batch files, PowerShell scripts, and more.
• IT teams can schedule deployments to occur at specific times or during maintenance windows, reducing disruptions to end users. This feature is particularly useful for large-scale deployments and updates.
• PDQ Deploy allows for multi-step deployments, enabling administrators to automate complex installation scenarios. For example, you can deploy software, configure settings, and run post-install scripts in a single deployment package.
• Deployments can be triggered manually by administrators or automatically in response to certain events or conditions. This includes triggering deployments based on inventory changes, Active Directory updates, or specific user actions.
• PDQ Deploy integrates seamlessly with PDQ Inventory, another product from the same company. This integration provides deeper insights into the target computers' configurations, allowing for more precise and efficient deployments.
• PDQ Deploy offers email notifications and detailed reporting to keep administrators informed about deployment status, success, or failure. This helps in troubleshooting and tracking software deployment compliance.

PDQ Deploy simplifies and streamlines software deployment tasks, making it an invaluable tool for IT professionals responsible for managing software across an organization's Windows-based computers.

Its flexibility, automation capabilities, and integration with PDQ Inventory contribute to its popularity in the IT management landscape.

Chocolatey

Chocolatey is an open-source package manager for Windows that facilitates the installation, configuration, and management of software applications, tools, and packages. It's a powerful tool designed to simplify software deployment, maintenance, and updates on Windows-based systems.

Here's a more in-depth look at Chocolatey:

• Chocolatey uses a package-based approach to software management. Packages are scripts and metadata that describe how software should be installed, configured, and maintained. These packages can be created and maintained by the Chocolatey community or by organizations internally.
• Chocolatey has a vast repository of pre-built packages known as the Chocolatey Community Repository. This repository contains packages for a wide range of software, including popular applications, development tools, utilities, and more. Users can search for and install packages from this repository.
• Organizations can create custom Chocolatey packages tailored to their specific needs. This allows them to package and deploy in-house or proprietary software efficiently. Custom packages can be maintained internally, ensuring version control and compliance.
• Chocolatey helps in maintaining version control of installed software. Users can specify the desired version of a package during installation, ensuring consistency across systems. It also supports upgrading, downgrading, and pinning to specific versions.
• Chocolatey automatically handles software dependencies. When you install a package, Chocolatey will also install any required dependencies, ensuring that the software works correctly.
• Chocolatey packages can be configured for silent installations, meaning they install without any user interaction or prompts. This is crucial for automating software deployments and updates.
• Chocolatey simplifies the process of updating installed software. Users can easily check for updates to all or specific packages and apply updates in bulk. This helps in keeping software up-to-date and secure.

Chocolatey has gained popularity in the Windows system administration and DevOps communities due to its ability to streamline software management tasks, improve consistency, and save time.

Whether for personal use or in enterprise environments, Chocolatey is a valuable tool for simplifying Windows software deployment and maintenance.

Ivanti Endpoint Manager

Ivanti Endpoint Manager, formerly known as LANDESK, is a comprehensive endpoint management and security platform designed to simplify and enhance the management of diverse endpoints within an organization's network.

Here's a closer look at Ivanti Endpoint Manager and its key features:

• Ivanti Endpoint Manager provides IT administrators with centralized control over a wide range of endpoints, including desktops, laptops, servers, mobile devices, and virtual machines. This centralized management streamlines tasks such as software deployment, patch management, and configuration management.
• Keeping software up-to-date is critical for security and stability. Ivanti automates the patching process, ensuring that operating systems and applications are patched regularly and vulnerabilities are addressed promptly. This helps in reducing security risks.
• Administrators can deploy software applications, updates, and configurations to endpoints across the organization efficiently. This ensures that all users have access to the necessary software and that applications are consistently configured.
• Ivanti Endpoint Manager offers robust asset management capabilities, allowing organizations to track hardware and software assets. This includes monitoring hardware inventory, software licenses, and usage data.
• The platform integrates security management features, including antivirus, anti-malware, and endpoint protection. This helps protect endpoints from various threats and ensures compliance with security policies.
• The platform supports automation and workflow creation. Administrators can define processes and procedures for various IT tasks, improving efficiency and reducing manual intervention.
• Ivanti Endpoint Manager includes MDM capabilities to manage mobile devices, enforce security policies, and distribute apps. It supports various mobile platforms, including iOS and Android.
• Ivanti Endpoint Manager is suitable for organizations of all sizes. It can scale to accommodate growing endpoint populations and evolving IT infrastructures.
• Ivanti offers cloud-based management options for organizations looking to manage endpoints in hybrid or cloud-centric environments.

Ivanti Endpoint Manager is a versatile solution that addresses the complex challenges of managing and securing diverse endpoints in modern IT environments.

It helps organizations improve operational efficiency, reduce security risks, and enhance the end-user experience through centralized management and automation.

Conclusion

Selecting the right software deployment tool depends on your organization's size, complexity, and specific needs. Often, a combination of these tools is employed to achieve the most effective deployment strategy.

Whether you're a developer, IT professional, or managing a large enterprise, understanding and utilizing these tools can significantly enhance your software deployment processes.